QUESTION: What is zeal and how does it affect our lives?

ANSWER: To have “zeal” or to be “zealous” means to be eager or earnestly enthusiastic about or toward a particular effort. Paul used the word “zeal’ when speaking of Israel in Romans 10:2: “For I bear them record that they have a “zeal” of God, but not according to knowledge.” In Titus 2:14, we are told that the reason Christ gave Himself for us was “that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto Himself a peculiar (different) people, “zealous” of good works.

That the Christian is directed to be “zealous” (eager, enthusiastic, boiling over) about the work of Christ is here made very clear. In so doing, not only is one’s own life positively affected (now and in eternity), but the lives of others with whom he has contact as well. The wise man, Solomon, said in Ecclesiastes 9:10,

“Whatsoever” thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” In other words, when this life is over all opportunities will be gone. Therefore, with all “zeal,” take advantage of every opportunity while you live! Zealousness, then, will be a characteristic of the faithful Christian in all aspects of life, i.e., family life, business life, and in the church! Without it, none of these will thrive as they ought!